Affinity
A new approach
Affinity was unveiled in March, 2004, the result of a courageous decision by the British Evangelical Council to re-invent itself in the light of the new challenges posed by a post-Christian culture. For over 50 years, the BEC stood for robust evangelical orthodoxy, separate from the contaminating influences of false ecumenism. Affinity is building on this same, firm foundation, amid the swirling waters of what currently passes for mainstream evangelicalism. Nevertheless, both its mission and its methods have been the subject of radical review.
Affinity claims to be ‘a new approach to the expression of biblical church unity for the 21st century’. To understand why the approach is ‘new’, it may be useful to begin with a few things that Affinity is not. Affinity is not trying to ring-fence all ‘true’ evangelical churches. Such an attempt would be as arrogant as it would be futile. The aim, in this regard, is simply to raise a banner for Bible-centred Christianity so that like-minded churches and agencies may know where they can find fellowship, and so that those who are not yet like-minded may be helped to get their bearings.
Affinity is not to be seen as some kind of super-denomination. Unlike a denomination, it does not concern itself with ‘secondary’ matters, such as church government. Also, unlike a denomination, Affinity has no pretensions to be a service-provider, believing rather that God dispenses his gifts directly to his churches without the need for middlemen. In fact, Affinity does not think of itself as a traditional para-church organisation at all. The desire of Affinity is not to appropriate the ministries of the churches, but to amplify them.
What’s in a name?
The word ‘affinity’ means ‘a reciprocal relationship based on a shared, underlying inclination’. It implies a mutual drawing together. This is precisely what Affinity hopes to encourage – the basic ‘shared, underlying inclination’ in this case being a total commitment to the authority of the Bible and the centrality of the Church in God’s purposes.
Affinity is essentially a modest name. That is one of the reasons it was chosen. It acknowledges the reality of the state of the Church in a fallen world. It does not claim the unity to which we should still nevertheless aspire. This is reflected in the logo: the ‘fractured a’ design suggesting we are on the mend, but not yet where we ought to be.
The ancillary title explains both the nature and purpose of Affinity. This is no remote, bureaucratic institution but a grass-roots, Church-centred Partnership. Ultimately, Christ loved, and died for, the Church (Ephesians 5:25). And it is the Church that he is building and will complete, despite all satanic opposition (Matthew 16:18). That is why Affinity is primarily a loose association of robustly evangelical churches, operating across denominational divides, in fellowship with like-minded para-church organisations and agencies.
Expressing ‘affinity’ is not seen as an end in itself: the purpose is to promote Bible-centred Christianity. The gospel is never more effectively communicated than when those who have been saved by it unite to proclaim it. But there is also a solemn responsibility to ensure the purity of the message. What has been revealed by the Spirit of God must not be corrupted by the spirit of the age. That is why the gospel must not be merely ‘based’ on the Bible but wholly derived from it. Truly Bible-centred Christians constantly refer and defer to the Word of God.
Our use of the term ‘Bible-centred’ is an attempt to expose what is perhaps the most significant fault-line within contemporary evangelicalism. The increasing marginalisation of the written Word of God in churches that claim its abiding authority inevitably undermines true Christianity. More than any other single factor, Affinity’s stand against this disastrous trend helps define its position and ethos.
Catching the vision
Approximately 1300 congregations are already aligned with Affinity. However, despite this substantial base of support, there is tremendous scope for growth. Our longing is that many more churches and agencies will come increasingly to appreciate the relevance and value of identifying themselves with those who share the same clear, biblical convictions and desires.
Remember, inter-church fellowship must never be viewed as a luxury which can be indulged in only by churches with ‘spare capacity’. (Surely, in any case, every faithful church, regardless of size, should be stretching itself beyond the limits of its known resources.) No, it is when we are determined to be a blessing to other churches despite our own sense of need that unexpected blessings are received in return. It is well worth re-reading 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 – and dwelling on the context!
We earnestly hope that, as you read this brochure, you will be excited and challenged by the Affinity vision, and that you will want to express your ‘affinity’ with us in ways that are both realistic and effective. Our aim is not merely that, as like-minded churches, agencies and believers, we should belong to an organisation, but that in so doing we should find ways of declaring and demonstrating that we belong to each other – in order to reach a lost world.
